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Low AC Line Voltage

Hello all.

I had something very strange happen the other night. My system hasn't been sounding quite right so I decided to try some power cords. I tried 3 Cardas Cross power cables. One on my power amp, one on my preamp and one on my Oppo CD player. I connected them all to an outlet box I had assembled using hospital-grade hardware. I turned everything on and let it warm up for a bit and the sound was totally unbelievable. Big wide open warm detailed spacious deep everything you could possibly ask for. I was totally amazed. The next morning I turned everything back on and tried it again and all of that wonderful sound was gone. It was almost like I had dreamed it. The system was back to sounding harsh and just not fun again. I couldn't figure out what happened. It was that way for several days. I bought a plug-in voltage meter. The voltage is always about a hundred 116 volts or so. This morning it was 123 volts and that wonderful sound was back. Am I crazy or could this possibly be caused from voltage?

Thanks in advance.

Ben

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honashagen
12 responses Add your response
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Hi OP!

No, this is pretty common and is why I use mainstream power conditioning. I always can hear when I'm not using my big Furman.

I personally have not heard the specific voltage issues you do, but we are at the mercy of the power company and our neighbors. 116 to 123 V is considered normal regulation. That is, well within the power company's spec. If you want to correct this, you'll need a "voltage regulator." Be careful to check that it will be better than this. Some regulators may do nothing between 115V and 125V.  Lots of power conditioners do no voltage regulation at all. VR takes iron, and is therefore more expensive.

The other thing that may be happening may not be the absolute voltage but the amount of noise coming in.

Best,

E
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Like Erik, my voltage level fluctuates between 116 and 123. While listening it often fluctuates +/- 2V, but I cannot hear any difference nor does my gear complain.
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
You hear better at night. 

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 
Besides simple voltage fluctuation, there's different amounts of crap on the line at different times of day, different days of the week, and when the weather is different (HVAC in use or not).  The width of the variation will depend on the neighborhood where you live.
honashagen OP
87 posts
 
Back down to 116. Which piece of Furman gear do I need?
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

One of these

http://www.furmanpower.com/products/all/component-power/reference-series

honashagen OP
87 posts
 
It happened again last night. I recently got some Totem Hawk speakers that I have not been able to get to sound right. Very bright and shrill. I jacked around for 4 days trying placement, interconnects, speaker cables, amplifiers and nothing helped. I decided to put them away to sell. Then last night I decided to get them out again and give them another chance. I placed them in the room where my Revel F208s were. Another miracle happened! They sounded fantastic! Ton's of bass. Almost too much. Smooth and warm. I even made my wife to come down to listen. She agreed they sounded great. Everything I threw at them was awesome! Went down to listen this morning and the magic was gone. That warm sound was missing. There was less bass. What the hell? I'm confused. Going to try again when I get home. Any ideas? Ben
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
116 is not a problem. 123 is kind of high.
I think it means that there is not much 'load' on your local transformer with it at 123 volts.

110 or lower is kind of low.

I agree it is more the crap flowing on the line along with the voltage.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
2,065 posts
 
elizabeth
116 is not a problem. 123 is kind of high.
Actually, in much of the US, 123VAC is nominal voltage. 116VAC would be at the very low end of spec.

I think it means that there is not much ’load’ on your local transformer with it at 123 volts.
It’s not that simple, because AC is delivered at relatively high voltages - typically more than 4kV. If your voltage sags substantially under realistic loads, you've got a problem and should request a "best of burden" test from your electric utility.

110 or lower is kind of low.
That’s below spec - or what they call "tariff" - in most states.
lilmsmaggie
273 posts
 
@honashagen, I think I was experiencing something similar recently, except in my situation, not only did it affect playback (bright/shrill sounding) but I suspect it probably put the kabosh on my TT’s motor which I’ve had to replace.

The home I recently moved into is 11 years old and when they originally wired the home, they placed the living room, dining room, mstr bedroom/bath on that one 15 amp branch circuit with a 15 amp AFCI circuit breaker.

In addition, we frequently experience power outages and there is a lot of new construction going on.

I’ve since purchased a Furman Elite 20 PFi and had a dedicated line installed.

The room where my gear is setup now has three circuits:

The original 15 amp branch circuit and two 20 amp dedicated branch circuits. The TV I’m installing tomorrow will be connected to its own 20 amp circuit and Ill plug my audio gear into the other 20 amp circuit.

You may not need to take such measures but you might consider exploring installing a dedicated line as an option.


elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
"In the United States and Canada, national standards specify that the nominal voltage at the source should be 120 V and allow a range of 114 V to 126 V (RMS) (−5% to +5%). ."
This is the standard.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
I must be lucky. I live in the land of apartments and my voltage has never varied more than +/- 2 V at any time of the day. It hovers around 119 V practically all the time. It's why I go straight into the wall for my integrated and SACD player.

All the best,
Nonoise
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